Welcome to Valley View (Valley View Book 1)

Chapter 18

A week after the biggest thing to happen to the Brown Family since..hmm maybe me...Wes, Candy, and I are on a little road trip to meet up with the family law attorney that Raymond’s family lawyer had recommended to him. Unfortunately, the lawyer is in Fargo, which means a four-hour trip. She was willing to drive to us, but wouldn’t be able to for another two weeks. Wes didn’t want to wait that long to begin this process. Candy and I wanted to be with him for moral support as well as helping to care for his new infant daughter.

Wes has grown so much this week that Annabelle has been in his life. He is still unsure about himself when it comes to being a father, but he is certainly trying his best. In the meantime, he moved back into his old bedroom with Betsy and Raymond so that he could have room and privacy from the other ranchers as well as help when needed. Betsy has also been watching her during the day, so it is just convenient for everybody for her to be there.

Candy and I did our due diligence and went shopping for her. She has a brand new crib, a decorated room, and everything that a little princess could want or need. Jimmy keeps telling me to chill on on the purchases just in case it turns out that she isn’t his, but believe deep down inside that he is the dad. She’s my sweet pea and deserves to be spoiled by us, even if she’s only with us for a short period of time.

“Hey Wes?” Candy called out from the backseat where she was currently sitting with Annabelle.

“Yeah?”

“Have you decided if you’re going to do the DNA test or not?”

Wes lets out a small sigh, “I don’t know yet. I kind of want to say no, but then I worry that if she isn’t mine wouldn’t some other guy be missing out on having his daughter and getting to know her?”

“That’s a good point. That’s really selfless of you too.”

“I think you should get it done too.” I put in my two cents, even though the question was just asked to Wes. “I’m pretty certain that she’s your girl, but you don’t want to have any doubts. Especially if her mother ever wants back in her life, you don’t want her coming back saying she’s not yours, you know?”

“No fucking way am I ever letting her back into Annabelle’s life if I can help. Even if I’m not the dad.”

I feel the same amount of anger that Wes feels as well. I still can’t believe that this lady just dropped off her child without any other word or notice. I have a hard time referring to her as Annabelle’s mom because what kind of mother would do that? I could almost excuse her behavior if she at least told Wes from the beginning, but she kept her a secret, and THEN showed up unannounced. She had a way to get in touch with him, she chose not to.

I’m glad that Wes was feeling the same way about her being back involved. I can tell that he already feels that little girl is his to protect. He might be nervous about being a dad and completely unsure of what he is doing, but that love is already there and the rest will come.

We pull into the parking lot of the lawyer’s office and Wes pulls Annabelle’s car seat from the truck and I walk with Candy, following them into the building. We head up to the third floor and wait for the receptionist to give us permission to head back. When we enter the lawyer’s office, she comes around to the front side of her desk and shakes all out hands.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Brown. I’m Martha Sharp, I’m glad that you could make it today.”

“Hi, Ms. Sharp. Thank you again for fitting us in. Robert said he wouldn’t recommend anybody else for a family law issue.’

“Robert was a great mentor of mine when I was first starting out. I’m glad he still thinks so highly of me. And please, call me Marsha.” She looks over to Candy and I again. “I see that you brought some support?”